Tip: Always recee your potential venue before making a deposit. If you are looking at an outdoor venue, ensure that the venue has a flexible backup solution in the event of rainy weather.

Think about your Guests

Do a rough draft of your guestlist and have an idea of how many guests you are planning to invite. Are you looking for something intimate or grand? Most restaurants can accommodate 100 – 150 guests, and ballrooms can accommodate anywhere from 100 to 500 guests. Do note that restaurants usually have a minimum spend, and ballrooms have a minimum capacity count.

Tip: When planning for your capacity, do buffer for some additional guests that might come last-minute.

What is your Budget?

Your wedding reception will be the bulk of your wedding cost. Plan out your budget according to how many guests you have and how much you plan to allocate for each guest. Depending on your chosen venue, on average, chinese banquet weddings cost about $100 – $150 per guest depending on the number of courses. You can opt for a lunch buffet to lower your cost.

While many think alternative venues (restaurants or parks) are cheaper, it may or may not be the case – depending on the inclusions. Alternative venues usually function on a per-head ala-carte basis, whereas ballrooms go by table and have more inclusions in their packages. Do a comparison between your shortlisted packages to see which is of better value.